Adjustable floral package



June 13, 1961 J. N. CALLINICOS 2,983,259

ADJUSTABLE FLORAL PACKAGE Filed July 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Fl JAMES N. CALLINICOS BY 0w /7% AGENT June 13, 1961 J. N. CALLINICOS 2,938,259

ADJUSTABLE FLORAL PACKAGE Filed July 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.9

INVENTORI JAMES N. CALLINICOS BY 03% m AGENT United States Patent 2,988,259 ADJUSTABLE FLORAL PACKAGE James N. Callinicos, East River at 154th Place, Whitestoue, L.I., N.Y. Filed July 28, 1959, Ser. No. 830,115 6 Claims. (Cl. 22934)' This invention relates in general to folding cartons and, more particularly, it relates to adjustable folding cartons intended primarily for use by florists in putting up a wide variety of potted plants, plants in various containers, and other floral displays. Specifically, this invention involves a further improvement on my earlier invention which was awarded US. Patent No. 2,821,297 on Jan. 28, 1958.

An object of this invention is to provide a paperboard, corrugated cardboard, or the like blank which is cut from one piece so that it may be folded and secured to form a packer for a wide variety of objects of different shapes and sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single box which is made in one piece and which may be assembled into several basic shapes to package floral arrangements.

A further object of this invention is to provide a single blank which a florist may stock with a great saving of space and money as the florist may assemble the blank into many different shapes to satisfy a large part of his box need.

Many additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the particular arrangement and the proportions of the parts involved in this invention and its practice otherwise as will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank with creases shown in dotted lines from'which this improved adjustable floral package is fabricated;

FIGS. 2 through 4 are perspective views of three floral packages or boxes which may be folded from the blank shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5 through 9 are perspective views of five additional floral packages which may be folded from the blank shown in FIG. 1 with five irregular objects to be packaged or secured shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows the blank .10 which is formed from paper-board, corrugated cardboard, or any such suitable material. This blank 10 is die cut into a generally rectangular external outline and is internally cut and creased to provide flexibly connected panels and sections which may be optionally folded and secured to form the floral packaging units shown in FIGS. 2 through 9. Pairs of centrally disposed straight parallel creases, 11 and 12 and 13 and 14 define a square base panel 15. This base 15 may be rectangular, however it is preferable to form it as a square as a square base is more suitable to accommodate the great variety of generally cylindrical or round objects which florists must package. The side panels 16 and 17 are integrally connected to the base 1'5 by the creases 12 and 11 respectively. In the center of the creases 11 and 12 there are formed the cutout tabs 18 and 19 which are used in a manner that will be described. End flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are connected to the side panels 16 and 17 by the creases 24, 25, 26 and 27 and the end flap tips 28, 29, 30 and 31 are connected to the end flaps by the creases 32, 33, 34 and 35. Extending outwards from the ends of the base 15 and connected to it with the creases 13 and 14 are the inner portions of the end panels 36 and 37 which are cut across by the creases 38, 39, 40 and 41 to define the outer portions 42 and 43 of the end panels 36 and 37. These outer portions 42 and .43 have the lateral tabs 44, 45, 46 and 47 attached to them by the creases 48, 49, 50

Patented June 13, 1961 and 51. Conforming notches 52 and 53 are formed in the center of the ends of the end panels 36 and 37. The creases 54 and 55 extend from the center of these conforming notches to the center of the creases 13 and 14 while pairs of diverging creases 56 and '58 and 57 and 59 extend from the conforming notches to the ends of the creases l3 and 14. Although the overall. appearance of the blank 19 is very similar to that shown in my forementioned patent, certain proportions have been altered and have been found to be critical as they allow the resulting greater number of forms which may be assembled from this blank. This added versatility results in greatly enhanced sales appeal because a florist need only stock a single blank to satisfy much of his packaging needs.

FIG. 4 shows a first basic package which may be formed from the blank 10 in the following manner. The side panels 16 and 17, as shown in FIG. 1, are folded upward from the base 15. The end flaps 20 and 21 are folded inwards along the creases 25 and 24 and stapled or otherwise secured as are the end flaps 22 and 23 which are folded inwards along the creases 26 and 27. The end panels 36 and 37 are then folded upwards along the creases 13 and 14 outside the secured pairs of end flaps and then they are bent along their creases 38 and 39 so that their outer end portions 42 and 43 extend into the box so formed and lie along the insides of the secured pairs of end flaps. The lateral tabs 44, 4-5, 46 and 47 then fold along the creases 48, 49, 50 and 51 to lie along the inside of the side panels 16 and 17 where they may be secured with the staples 60. To make this basic form, which is an exceptionally strong square box, the inner portions of the end panels 36 and 37 must be slightly longer than the width of the side panels 16 and 17 and their end flaps 2t), 21, :22 and 23 so that the outer portions 42 and 43 of the end panels may be folded on the creases 38 and 39 over the secured pairs of end flaps. Also, the outer portions 42 and 43 should be slightly shorter than the inner portions of the end panels 36 and 37 so that the outer portions may be folded over the secured pairs of end flaps to almost reach the base 15. This results in at least three thicknesses of the material of the blank 10 at each end of the resulting box which adds to its strength. For some uses, the box need not be stapled as the natural friction of the box parts will prevent the unfolding of the end panels. Also, the total length of eachof the end flaps with its end flap tip should be less than the width of the base 15 so that they may be folded in the manner described.

FIG. 2 shows an assembled elongated box such as may be used to support a table center piece floral arrangement. To form this elongated box from the blank 10, the side panels 16 and 17 are again folded upward from the base 15 along the creases 11 and 12, but only the end flap tips 28, 29, 30 and 31 are folded inward along the creases 32, 33, 34 and 35. The outer portions of the end panels 42 and '43 are then folded upwards on the creases 38 and 39 after which the lateral tabs 44, 45, 46 and 47 are folded along the end flaps 23, 21, :22 and 20, respectively, and stapled in place with the staples 60. To form this box from the blank 10, the outer portions of the end panels 42 and 43 should be about as long as the width of the side panels 16 and 17 and their end fllaps 20, 21, 22 and 23. In addition, the inner portions of the end panels 36 and 37 should be the same length as the end flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23. FIG. 3 shows a partially elongated box which is formed by having one end assembled in the manner described for the form shown in FIG. 2 and the other end assembled in the manner described for FIG. 4.

. FIG. 5 shows a further box which may be assembled from the same blank 10. The side panels 16 and 17 are folded upward from the base 15 and the end flaps are folded inward and stapled together. Then the end panels 36 and 37 are folded upwards outside the end flaps and the outer portions of the end panels 42 and 43 are folded downward along the creases 38 and 39 to cover the top of the box so formed as the lateral tabs 44, 45, 46 and '47 are folded down and fixed with the staples 60 to the outside of the side panels 16 and 17. To assist in fixing these staples 60 when this form is assembled from the blank 10, the tabs 18 and 19 are provided so that they may be opened and the anvil of a staple gun inserted into the covered box. As may be seen in FIG. 5, a vase 61 may be secured by clamping its neck between the conforming notches 52 and 53 before inserting the staples 60. This forms an excellent package for a large based, narrow necked vase 61 as shown, however it is also suitable for a wide variety of objects and will hold them securely because the outer portions of the end panels 42 and 43 may be moved inward or outward and then fixed to clamp them. The conforming notches 52 and 53 ensures that the object clamped is centrally supported as they prevent its slipping sideways. When a vase 61 is securely packaged in this form, the wide square base 15 acts as a more substantial support to prevent any accidental tipping of the vase and the flower arrangement it may contain. The end panels 42 and 43 are one-half the length of the base 15 so that they may be brought together when this box is assembled to completely cover the box. Thus the blank allows a box to be formed which has its own cover.

FIG. 7 shows a container formed from the same blank 10 to package a tall thin vase 62 or the like. The end panels 36 and 37 are first folded upward along creases 13 and 14 and the end panel 36 is flexed about the creases 48, 56, 54, 58 and 50 to wrap about the vase 62. The other end panel 37 is then similarly Wrapped about the upper part of the vase 62 from the other side and stapled to the end panel 36. After this, the side panels 16 and 17 are folded upwards and the pairs of end flaps 20 and 21 and 22 and 23 are folded inwards and .secured to complete the package. This form gives the highest possible support for tall, slender objects.

FIG. 8 shows a package assembled to pack a glass brick or a similar rectangular vase 63. In this application, the end panels 36 and 37 are folded upward from the base 15 after which the side panels 16 and 17 are folded upward and the pairs of end flaps 20 and 21 and 22 and 23 are folded inward outside the end panels and secured to each other. The end panel 36 is then folded inward along the creases 56 and 58 and the end panel 37 is folded inward along the creases 57 and 59. After this, the pairs of lateral tabs 44 and 46 and 45 and 47 are folded inward .and stapled together to form two upstanding tower-like structures within the box. When an appropriate object is forced between these towers into the box, it is securely held and packaged.

FIG. 6 shows a further modification in which the box is assembled by folding the end panels 36 and 37 upwards from the base 15 and then back downwards on the creases 40 and 41. Then the pairs of lateral tabs 44 and 45 and 46 and 47 are brought together on either side of an object, such as a goblet 64. After these lateral tabs are stapled together projecting straight out from the goblet 64, they are folded parallel to the side panels 16 and 17 which are raised upwards to hold the stapled and folded pairs of lateral tabs behind them. The side panels are then secured by stapling the pairs of end flaps 20 and 21 and 22 and 23.

The package .shown in FIG. 9 is formed by folding the end panels 36 and 37 upward from the base 15 and then back downward on the creases 38 and 39. The lateral tabs 44 and 45 and 46 and 47 are then stapled on either side of a low irregular object, such as a ceramic baby shoe 65. The assembly is then completed as the stapledpairsof lateral tabs are folded behind the raised 4 side panels 16 and 17 and the pairs of end flaps are fixed together.

An unusual number of packages may be formed from this particularly versatile blank because its parts are formed in the particular proportions to each other that are shown and described. If a florist stocks one or two sizes of the blank 10, he can assemble boxes to package most of his sales in a superior manner. Naturally, this invention is not restricted to the use of florists as it may be used to package a wide variety of products.

While I have disclosed my invention in the best form known to me, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary in that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention except as it may be more particularly limited in the appended claims wherein I claim:

1. A blank for selective assembly into one of several packaging forms comprising, in combination, a substantially square base, two rectangular side panels foldably connected to each side of said base, rectangular end flaps foldably connected to the ends of said side panels, end flap tips foldably connected to the ends of said end I flaps, said end flaps and said end flap tips together being shorter than the width of said base, end panels foldably connected to the ends of said base each having a rectangular inner portion of the same length as said end flaps and an outer portion foldably connected to said inner portion and being of substantially the same length as the width of said side panels and said end flaps, said end panels containing diverging creases extending from their outer edges towards said base, and lateral tabs foldably connected to and extending sideways from the outer portions of said end panels, the inner portions of said end panels and said end flaps being slightly longer than the width of said side panels and said end flaps.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the outer edges of said end panels contain centrally located conforming notches.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the outer portions of said end panels are each at least onehalf as long as said base.

4. The combination according to claim 3 with the addition of tabs cut in said base adjacent to said side panels.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said end panels each contain a crosswise crease in their outer portions below the extension of said lateral tabs.

6. A blank for selective assembly into one of several packaging forms comprising, in combination, a substantially square base, two rectangular side panels foldably connected to each side of said base, end flaps foldably connected to the ends of said side panels, two end panels foldably connected to the ends of said base each having a rectangular inner portion of the same length as said end flaps and an outer portion foldably connected to said inner portion and being of substantially thesame length as the width of said side panels, said end panels having outer edges containing central conforming notches and lateral tabs foldably connected to and extending sideways from the outer portions of said end panels, said end panels containing diverging creases extending from the center of the outer edges of said end panels towards the sides of said base, the outer portions of each of said end panels being one half the length of said base and containing a crosswise crease below the extension of said lateral tabs from said end panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,209,363 Schluembach Dec. 19, 1916 1,905,119 Newton Apr. 25, 1933 2,125,813 Roscoe Aug. 2, 1938 2,734,677 Arneson Feb. 14, 1956 2,846,133 .Burden' .Aug. .5, 1958 

